Norman Insists He Can Silence Woods, McIlroy

He wants a talk with PGA duo and prove how they have gained financially from LIV

- REUTERS

CANBERRA - Greg Norman said he would win a debate with Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods on the topic of how those PGA Tour marquee names benefited financially from the upstart circuit.

Norman served as LIV Golf's commissioner and chief executive upon its inception before being replaced by Scott O'Neil on Jan 15.

Woods publicly called for the 69-year-old Australian to step down from LIV Golf in the interests of mending fences between the breakaway circuit and the PGA Tour.

McIlroy blamed Norman in part for a "civil war" in golf, previously saying that he should "exit stage left" to allow the "adults" to patch up the sport's schism.

Norman told Australian Golf Digest he would love to have a dialogue with McIlroy and Woods.

He said: "I would love to sit down and talk to them about it, no question about it. Because I'm not a judgmental person and you only learn the facts and truth when you hear the other side of it.

"But, yes, would I like to sit down with them? Sure, absolutely. And you know what? I'd win the debate."

Norman's position is that the LIV Golf effect helped line the pockets of players through the PGA Tour's Player Impact Programme (PIP), which rewards players who drive engagement with sponsors and fans.